SANFORD, Fla. – Amtrak has plans to renovate the Auto Train station in Sanford, officials said.
The 2004 hurricanes heavily damaged the Sanford station, and Amtrak plans to begin improvements early next year utilizing the current footprint. Amtrak representatives announced that the renovated Auto Train terminal will undergo between $6 and $7 million in improvements.
The new facility will provide seating for 600 passengers and is intended to improve the function, process and flow of the station, vehicles, and site.
“The Auto Train facility in Sanford has been unacceptable and inadequate for more that two years since being storm damaged,” said U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Fla. “Efforts to improve the Sanford Auto Train station by Amtrak are long overdue. Seminole County and the City of Sanford have also agreed to work together to improve transportation access to the new
facility.”
Mica is working with State and local officials to obtain funding assistance for road improvements serving the Sanford Auto Train Station. Improvements are necessary to accommodate the increasing traffic in the community.
The Auto Train has been operated by Amtrak since 1983, between Sanford and Lorton, Va. The daily Auto Train can accommodate 300 vehicles and 600 passengers, and has been running near capacity in the last year.
Mica is the Republican Leader of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, which has jurisdiction over the nation’s rail infrastructure.
Amtrak’s plans to upgrade Sanford station were discussed during a recent meeting with Mica. Attendees the meeting included Seminole County Chairwoman Brenda Carey, Sanford Mayor Linda Kuhn, Florida Department of Transportation District Five Secretary Noranne Downs, professional staff from the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and Amtrak representatives.
— Railfanning.org News Wire
